Medical Care

Herpangina is a self-limited illness. As such, no specific therapy is indicated.

Currently, no antiviral therapy is effective against herpangina. Antibacterial therapy is of no benefit.

Recently, considerable efforts have been made in the development of antiviral compounds targeting the capsid protein of enterovirus,
[12] as well as viral proteases and proteins involved in enteroviral RNA replication.
[11]

Treatment is generally supportive and includes the following:

Hydration

Antipyretics (eg, acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

Topical analgesics (eg, topical lidocaine)

Next:

Diet

Ensure that patients with herpangina maintain adequate hydration and caloric intake during the illness.

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Sandra G Gompf, MD, FACP, FIDSA Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine; Chief, Infectious Diseases Section, Director, Occupational Health and Infection Control Programs, James A Haley Veterans Hospital